Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, UIL Journalism will have five contests instead of four if approved by the Commissioner of Education. The copy editing pilot was approved as a sanctioned event at the Legislative Council meeting this month.

Jeanne Acton, journalism director, said a summer journalism advisory committee suggested the contest several years ago. Copy editing became a pilot in 2014.

“The contest helps students understand the value of editing and the need for clear, concise communication,” Acton said. “Copy editing skills transcend any job or field, regardless of how jobs may change in the future.”

This semester 17 interns are hard at work at the UIL state office. The University Interscholastic League welcomed 10 new interns with seven interns returning for another semester. UIL interns help with the daily upkeep of their respective departments and also assist at UIL State events.

Academics
Katarina Antolovic, a Theatre intern, is returning for her third year here at UIL. In high school Katarina competed in LD Debate, Congressional Debate, Informative and Persuasive Extemporaneous, and Current Issues and Events.

During the October Legislative Council meeting, UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt responds to a question as Raymondville ISD Superintendent Johnny Pineda, the Council Chair, listens. Pineda completed his term as chair at the end of this meeting. Photo by Jeanne Acton

The University Interscholastic League Legislative Council met Oct. 16 and 17 to make decisions on proposed rule changes in UIL academics, athletics, music and policy.

In athletics, the Legislative Council approved a proposal to establish a pitch count limitation in baseball. High school pitchers will be limited to no more than 110 pitches per day, junior high pitchers will be limited to no more than 85 pitches per day. Days of rest between participation will be required based on the number of pitches thrown. If approved by the Commissioner of Education, this rule change will be effective immediately.

Also in athletics, the Council approved an amendment to the language for the 6A football home field advantage pilot program. The change gives home field advantage to the team with the higher district finish in the first round of the football playoffs

Olympic competitors are some of the most talented and well-trained athletes in the world, so it’s no surprise that many of them were successful high school student-athletes. Several former UIL State champions made waves representing Team USA during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Several even medaled at the games.

The following is a rundown of how former UIL state medal winners fared at the 2016 Olympic Games:

Camille Adams, Houston Cypress Woods HS: Adams was the fastest swimmer in the Conference 5A 500-yard freestyle event, winning gold at the 2010 UIL Swimming and Diving State Championships. At Rio she placed fourth in the 200-meter butterfly finals, only .7 seconds from a spot on the medal stand.

UIL is the first state to hold a “Game-Day” style state competition where squads are given game scenarios and expected to choose and perform the right cheer for the scenario.Photo by Photo courtesy of Action Moments

350 schools. 4,000 students. Bigger than the UIL State Track Meet, and one of the biggest UIL events so far. And it wasn’t just the size of the event — no meet could match the amount of school spirit at the inaugural UIL State Spirit Pilot this past spring.

“Coaches and teams were just over the top,” Assistant Athletic Director Traci Neely said. “They never really realized what it would feel like to compete and get a medal and how their communities would treat them when they returned from competition.”

UIL is the first state to hold a “Game-Day” style state competition where squads are given game scenarios and expected to choose and perform the right cheer for the scenario.

The first Robotics State Championship was held at Austin Convention Center in July.Photo by Photo by Chris Schmidt, Public Affairs Representative

Robots have not taken over the world yet — but they have entered UIL competition.

UIL hosted its first pilot Robotics State Championship in July at the Austin Convention Center.

“I expected we would have a good event, but it really exceeded my expectations in terms of how smoothly everything ran and just being a great experience for the participants,” STEM Activities Director David Trussell said. “I had a number of students and coaches tell me that they really appreciated what UIL is doing with the robotics program to help put a spotlight on the activity and encourage more schools to participate.”

UIL teamed up with FIRST robotics to provide two competitions for the meet: the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

Peter Contreras retired at the end of September after working at the League for more than two and a half decades.Photo by First Photo Texas

A college basketball referee, an avid golfer—complete with the shirt tan to prove it—and UIL assistant athletic director. All titles Peter Contreras holds. For 26 years Contreras has been a part of the UIL family, but on September 30, he sat in his office for the last time.

“My greatest memories here are with people,” Contreras said. “That’s an easy one. Over 26 years I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people inside this office and this building, and I’m going to miss that.”

After a more than two and half decade long career, Contreras retired from UIL this fall.

“I want to do something else,” he said. “I still think I’m young enough, might not look it, but I’m still young enough to do something else. That uncertainty is exciting and scary.”

The University Interscholastic League would not thrive without dedicated sponsors and coaches. One way UIL recognizes these men and women is with the Sponsor Excellence Award.

Each year UIL selects 15 Sponsor Excellence Award winners. The 15 recipients receive a $1000 check and plaque. There are three categories for the award: academic contest coaches (including One Act Play), athletic coaches and music directors. The award is meant to “recognize outstanding sponsors who assist students in developing and refining their extracurricular talents.”

The nomination link will be sent to superintendents and principals on Oct. 6.

"Some of the finest educators in the state have been recipients of this prestigious award,” UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said. “The UIL Sponsor Excellence Award is presented to talented and dedicated coaches, directors and sponsors from across the state.”